NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt embarks on a trip this weekend no other Commodore women’s basketball team has made before, as the Dores are playing a road game against Columbia for the first time in program history.
The programs meet on Sunday at 1 p.m. CT (ESPN+) at Levien Gymnasium in New York City in Columbia’s home opener.
The only prior meeting between the programs came in December of 2019, when Vandy beat Columbia 72-51 in Nashville.
Vanderbilt is 2-0 for the first time since that 2019-20 season and only the second time in the past eight seasons.
The Dores have received impressive performances from newcomers through their first two games.
Graduate transfer Ciaja Harbison led the way in an 82-71 road win over Western Kentucky, scoring 28 points on 7 of 8 shooting from the field and 12 of 14 from the free throw line.
In their home debut against Samford, freshmen Ryanne Allen, Amauri Williams and Jada Brown and graduate transfer Marnelle Garraud combined to score 50 points to lead the Dores to an 81-51 victory.
Continuing the strong defensive emphasis under second-year head coach Shea Ralph, Vanderbilt forced 21 turnovers and had eight steals in each game.
All nine players on Vandy’s roster have already scored at least six points in a game this season. Everyone played at least 14 minutes in the win over Samford.
Scouting the Opponent
Columbia (2-0) is a dangerous Ivy League opponent coming off its best season in program history. The veteran squad has opened the season with two road wins, defeating Memphis 77-69 and Delaware 64-56.
The Lions returned more than 96 percent of their total scoring, rebounding and minutes played from the record-breaking squad. They finished 25-7, including 12-2 in Ivy League play, last season. The 25 overall wins were seven more than the program’s previous Division I record and four more than when Columbia was a Division III team in 1985-86.
Columbia participated in the postseason for the first time in 36 years, and reached the quarterfinals of the WNIT. It was the deepest WNIT run by any team in Ivy League history.
Leading the way this season is junior guard Abbey Hsu, a Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year preseason watch list nominee. The two-time All-Ivy League selection set the league single-season record for 3-pointers last season with 108. Hsu is already Columbia’s career leader for 3-pointers made.
Hsu is averaging 16.5 points and 5.0 rebounds through the first two games. She’s made 6 of 14 from beyond the arc.
Hsu is one of four Columbia players averaging double-figures in scoring, alongside senior forward Hannah Pratt (15.5), sophomore guard Kitty Henderson (12.0) and senior guard Jaida Patrick. Senior Kaitlyn Davis and Pratt are Columbia’s top rebounders at 8.0 and 8.5 per game, respectively.
Mark Your Calendars
After the game against Columbia, the Dores return to Nashville for a three-game home stand at Memorial Gymnasium. They will host Tarleton State on Nov. 15 at 11 a.m. CT, Austin Peay on Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m. and Saint Joseph’s on Nov. 20 at 2 p.m.
Tickets
Students will continue to receive free admission to all home basketball games. In addition, single-game sales, mini-plans and group ticket options are available. To view the promotional schedule, click here.
